Two of Australia's brightest tennis prospects have been forced to pull out of the 2019 Launceston International.
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Both Thanasi Kokkinakis and Alex Bolt have been late withdrawals this week.
Kokkinakis succumbed to a problematic shoulder and pectoral injury that forced the 22-year-old to withdraw from his first-round match at the Australian Open.
“I haven’t got the exact nature of the injury, but there was always going to be doubt when you pick up that sort of injury,” tournament director Rick Fontyn said.
Bolt unexpectedly had to cancel his return to the Launceston International.
The 26-year-old regular visitor to the tournament has been called up to the Australian Davis Cup squad.
But Bolt is not expected to play any part in the world group qualifying tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“It’s more about giving him that sort of experience at Davis Cup level,” Fontyn said.
Wildcards to fill final positions in the Launceston main draw will be allocated before the end of this week.
The tournament starts earlier this year from Monday, but will run for seven days instead of nine.
“The qualifying field is reduced and the men’s main draw will actually have more numbers in it because there will be seeds that get a first-round bye,” Fontyn said.
“From that point of view, it’s a lot more positive that matches on court at any one time will have real depth.”
Marc Polmans and Gabriella Taylor will be the first returning Launceston men’s and women’s single champions to defend their titles.